Electric BMW 3 Series is on the way – here’s when

The automaker is reinvigorating its electric vehicle lineup, and the new i3 will be the introductory sedan in the company’s Neue Klasse of vehicles.

Pre-production BMW i3 in camouflage — *The BMW i3 is a Neue Klasse sedan. This pre-predocution model in camouflage previews the electric car. – BMW Group Canada photo*

BMW is getting close to putting its new i3 into production.

But this i3 will be nothing like the little hatchback the company sold here until the end of 2021.

The new i3 electric car will be a sibling to the 3 Series, offering a compact but roomy sedan body style.

The automaker is reinvigorating its entire electric lineup with a new class, which it calls Neue Klasse, of vehicles. The new i3 will be the Neue Klasse’s introductory sedan.

BMW announced its Munich plant has begun producing the first near-series test vehicles of this upcoming new model.

“Production of pre-series vehicles is an important milestone for our plant,” says Peter Weber, head of BMW Group Plant Munich, in a news release. “For the first time, we have built a BMW i3 entirely at our plant – using state-of-the-art manufacturing technology and digitally connected processes. With production now close to series maturity, our logistics and production processes are performing under real-world conditions across all technologies: in our modernized press shop, the new body shop, the state-of-the-art paint shop and the new assembly area, as well as the innovative logistics structures. Over the coming months, we will apply the lessons learned from the ramp-up to further refine the processes for series production and ensure a smooth series launch.”

When is BMW i3 going into production?

BMW said the production-series i3 will enter production in the second half of 2026.

Canadian market details haven’t been announced, but BMW typically launches new cars in Europe first, followed shortly by launches in North America and elsewhere.

Canada is likely to see the new i3 arrive as a 2027 model year car.

2026 BMW iX3 — *The BMW iX3 compact SUV is the first Neue Klasse vehicle. – BMW Group Canada photo*

What is the Neue Klasse?

The Neue Klasse marks BMW’s latest series of electric vehicles. It promises to be better than what came before.

Utilizing 800V technology, this new class of EVs promises quicker charging, more efficient drivetrains, longer driving range, slimmer batteries, software defined vehicles with tech integration between various vehicle functions, and more.

The first vehicle of this Neue Klasse will be the iX3 compact SUV, which BMW will showcase at the 2026 Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto Feb. 13 to 22. We can expect the iX3 to become available to buy in Canada around that time as well or shortly after.

For updates, visit the BMW Canada website.